The LRB Podcast Silicon Valley Warriors
Jun 18, 2025
Laleh Khalili, a professor at the University of Exeter and author of "Extractive Capitalism," joins to discuss the critical intersection of Silicon Valley and the Pentagon. She critiques the influence of private tech firms on military spending, especially under Trump's massive defense budget. The conversation delves into the evolution of military strategy, the reliance on advanced technology, and the implications of shifting tech relations. Khalili argues these partnerships pose threats to national security and the public good, challenging us to rethink our priorities.
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Pentagon's Huge Private Spending
- Over 50% of the US defence budget goes to private firms for various services and products.
- This includes everything from logistics to fighter jets to tech software for military use.
From 50 to 5 Primes
- The Pentagon encouraged defense companies to consolidate from 50 to 5 primes to survive budget cuts.
- Deregulation and antitrust rollbacks also fueled this monopoly formation in the military-industrial complex.
Palantir’s Origin Story
- Palantir was born from post-9/11 intelligence demands and CIA venture capital support.
- It solved US military's software communication issues by connecting legacy systems through a unique API.
